Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 96-11-27

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TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 214/96 27.11.96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Erbakan, Ciller announce 3rd economic package.

[02] Fascist "Grey Wolves" chairman says no regrets over Tassos Isaac's murder, will do it again if necessary.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[03] Turkish columnists warns Greek Cypriots, foresees difficulties in solving the Cyprus problem.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Erbakan, Ciller announce 3rd economic package

The second article of the package deals with retirement rights of Turkish citizens employed abroad. The retirement premius will accumulate within a single fund, and 20 percent of the monies in this fund will be used by the state. The remaining sum will accrue interest and be used to pay the annuities of the retired workers. Approximately 400.000 workers living abroad are expected to benefit from this plan. The remaining articles of the package deal with the facilitation of the payment of public debts, the just taxation of the highway and bridge toll bonds, and the incorporation into the economy and taxation of the suitcase trade.

"With this $10 million package, we are securing new revenues for our country. These additional revenues will not come from additional taxes and price increases but, as I explained earlier, by making the lives of our citizens easier. I would like to reiterate that our prescriptions are not bitter; they are sweet", Erbakan said.

Ciller, in turn, stated that the coalition program is based on four foundations: a new taxation program, privatization, a balance budget, and the reduction of domestic debts. She added that all these are being implemented in stages. Pointing out that the government program was prepared with a view to increasing the income of the Turkish people, Ciller expressed the belief that the targets set within the market conditions will be met one by one.

[02] Fascist "Grey Wolves" chairman says no regrets over Tassos Isaac's murder, will do it again if necessary

Holding the press conference together with the Chairman of the Turk-Biv, another fascist organization, and Vice Chairman Kutay kilic, Arslan said: "We have not come here to defend ourselves against the Greek Cypriot lies, because the Greek Cypriot administration is neither ours nor the TRNC's proper respondent.

He declared that the aim of the press conference is to do away with the Greek Cypriot "lies" thus exposing these "lies". He said that the arrest warrants issued against the six Turks and the photographs taken during the criminal action cannot be considered as valid evidence. "They have no proof" alleged Arslan.

Arslan went on and said that two years ago they established the Idealist Hearths Clubs in the occupied area to respond to the Greek Cypriot protest activities along the confrortation line.

He branded as "ridiculous" the Cyprus Government's recourse to Interpol for the issuing of arrest warrants against the six Turks. And added that they "will recourse to the Court of Human Rights" regarding the arrest warrants.

Arslan concluded by threatening the Greek Cypriots and saying that they are not feeling sorry for what happened to Tassos Isaac and that if the Greek Cypriots try again to cross into the occupied area they will mete out the same reaction as they did to Tassos.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[03] Turkish columnists warns Greek Cypriots, forsees difficulties in solving the Cyprus problem

First of all, the Cyprus EU membership issue renders the solution of the Cyprus problem very difficult. The South Cyprus administration is not entering into bargaining with the TRNC whom it has cornered.

Clerides thinks that since he has secured the support of the EU and has beside him the attractive economic advantage, he refuses to take any steps towards the path to solution. Now the issue is referred to a mediator and the EU representatives. The Greek Cypriots think that the issue will be solved in line with their own wish through the advertising campaign of the EU representative on the island and the intrigues of the British mediator.

In fact it is out of question to fool Ankara and Nicosia with intrigues and advertising campaigns. Denktash is a very realistic person, and around him he has a team headed by Prof. Mumtaz Sosyal who know all the problems, legal solution means and negotiation techniques very well.

Furthermore, Turkey is there with everything. The huge Turkish Embassy there is investigating and studying in fine detail every step that is taken.

It is impossible to convince Turkey's young and dynamic Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan of anything that is contrary to Turkey's and the TRNC's interest. If the shrewed diplomats who undertook as mediators and the South Cyprus administrators make their assessments according to Apakan's smiling face and modesty, then they are on the verge of committing a big mistake. With his nine years of experience Apakan will stand up and demonstrate that he is a tough interlocutor.

If really a settlement is demanded then it is necessary that a method be found by which real interests are safeguarded. It is not possible to reach somewhere if one considers the Turkish side as stupid. The problem, which is dragging on for the last 33 years, will continue for another 33 years.

It is also important that not much hope should be put into mediators as regards a future EU membership. Yes, the Turkish Cypriots want to become an EU member but not at the cost of becoming a minority. They do not rely on any guarantees except Turkey's effective guarantorship. If one considers what happened in Sarajevo and Srebrenica, no one can claim that they are wrong and have no right. They very well know that if Cyprus becomes an EU member, then Turkey will be unable to resort to any intervention similar to that in 1974.

On top of it, it is out of question for Turkey to accept Cyprus' membership to an organization where Ankara is absent. Because this will be tantamount to accepting the legal system and the balance established by the 1960 Theaties. In that case the attempt to resuscitate what is dead in Cyprus and negotiate for a bizonal bicommunal federation carries no meaning. What should be done is to burry the dead and let life continue.

In another way, whether we like it or not the solution of the problem, that is locked in the EU membership, passes through the acceptance of the status quo prevailing on the island. So let the Greek Cypriots become an EU member or unite with Greece. And the Turkish side in its turn will try to chart its own destiny. This way at least a possible future Greco-Turkish war that would shake the whole region and create destabilization will be avoided.

At present Turkey is not strong enough to conduct the funeral rites for the dead. It is still in 1960 Cyprus and hopeful of its EU membership. It still considers Cyprus as a tramp card which will carry Ankara to EU membership and it does not want to lose this card with hastily made statements. However, if things reach their limit, Ankara, instead of losing Cyprus, can do away with the EU membership. However, all our Western friends, together with us, will bear the consequences of this action." (MY) EF/LB/SK